Being picked in WNBA draft dream come true, Shay Doron says

Former Maryland Terrapins star, who was selected by the New York Liberty, tells Ynet, ‘As soon as my name was called out I began to tremble – I had tears in my eyes’; says she is pleased by excitement her accomplishment generated in Israel

The 22-year-old Israeli, who led the Maryland Terrapins to an NCAA championship in 2006, said, “After the draft and all the interviews that followed, I went home and still couldn’t believe it.

“During the event itself I wasn’t nervous, because I knew it was out of my hands, but as soon as my name was called out I began to tremble – I had tears in my eyes,” she said. “My father, who is also a very strong person, also shed a tear.”

To make the Liberty’s final roster Doron still has to impress team officials during the traditional preseason mini-camp.

“I’m not even thinking about it; I know if I’ll get stressed out about it I won’t play the type of basketball I’m capable of playing,” she told Ynet. “During the pre-draft camp I also told myself, ‘to hell with everyone; either they’ll see what I’m worth or they won’t.’ I never change who I am as a person.”

Have you spoken to the Liberty’s coaching staff?

I spoke to several team officials and of course they are glad I’m there. The truth is they were afraid I would be selected earlier. I knew San Antonio and New York really wanted me.

Shay Doron during WNBA draft

As to the excitement her accomplishment has generated in Israel, Doron said, “I can understand it; it simply makes me happy. There is excitement in the country I feel most at home in.

Liberty general manager Carol Blazejowski said following the draft, "I followed Shay Doron her whole career at Maryland and loved her energy and the passion she played the game with. She's a kid who looks like she's having fun playing basketball. She can score, she can defend. Definitely one of the top three at the pre-draft camp."